Make North Carolina State Fair a Homecoming

by vent wing

Will the North Carolina State Fair feel like a Homecoming? The N.C. State Fair opens their gates on October 17th until October 27th, turning the grounds into a giant fun park. That’s right, it’s back! The fair, the fair, the unforgettable fair. Time to make plans but first, back to the Homecoming.

The Homecoming pitch for this year’s N.C. State Fair is definitely appropriate. Homecoming colors on the banner match that of Duke, Chapel Hill, and N.C. State. A unique way to attract college students. The homepage slideshow of things-to-do includes visuals of Blue ribbon competitions, Dorton Arena concerts, an app ad, and all the other bits of visual candy.

When I think of Homecoming, I think of football. Check listings for State games.

How can you save when buying North Carolina State Fair tickets?

Save $2 a ticket and save $8 on ride tickets via an advanced ticket purchase. You end up buying an adult ticket for $7, not bad.

Make an advanced purchase starting October 3rd, ending October 17th. Advanced tickets will be available at the N.C. State Fairgrounds (gate 9), Museum of History on Edenton, Triangle Town Center, Lynn’s Hallmark at Heritage Crossing, and Raleigh’s Farmers Market. Three other locations include Lynn’s Hallmark of Eastgate in Chapel Hill, Clayton Corners in Clayton, Northgate Mall in Durham, and Holly Hill Mall in Burlington. Nine all together according to www.ncstatefair.org.

Let’s not forget the N.C. State Fair savings online. You can ‘buy now’ online. Pay today, play tomorrow.

Purchasing tickets between October 18th and the 27th? $9 at gate, $8 online.

So, it’s not cheap. The exhibits alone make the N.C. State Fair worth every cent.

Field of Dreams exhibit has nothing to do with baseball players in a cornfield. It’s for kids to enjoy a coloring contest, storytelling, and learning the process of farming first hand. They pick from a miniature farm and sell it at the Field of Dreams Market and get to spend their hard earned money in the custom store. A good educational experience.

Competitions within the N.C. State Fair doesn’t leave out the cooking contest and the Livestock competition. Exhibits and competitions lour residents in the state and visitors from outside of the state. More.

Most important day? Food Lion Hunger Relief Day!What’s in it for you? A free ticket.

The need for food donations has grown incredibly. With new cuts hardships grow in North Carolina. For instance, the unemployed facing recent financial cuts have been added to those potentially seeking food assistance for family survival. As Gov Pat McCrory steps between N.C. and federal assistance, a lot of people could experience the domino effect financially. Which is another good reason to donate to the North Carolina Food Bank. Thursday October 24th is an important day to go to the N.C. State Fair. Magic number is 5 — 5 cans per entry. Get in free when donating 5 cans of food.

Cans donations are delivered through the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Check it out.

Come rain, come shine, the North Carolina State Fair continues tradition with great Midway games and rides for kids and adults. From bouncing a ball on a Bingo style card, tossing a dart at a balloon, the shooting range, throwing a ring on a bottle neck to riding a roller coaster, venturing a fun house, and reaching a cloud on the Ferris wheel.

One of the most expected moments, each night, at the North Carolina State Fair would be none other than the late night fireworks. Across from Trinity Road (N.C. State Fair) at 9:45 pm fireworks are released into the sky. The ear piercing bangs are interrupted by colorful designs of spectacular spiral sparks. Most fair goers leave soon after the fireworks. Everyone knows you need fireworks to end a night at the fair.

Locals have been visiting the N.C. State Fair for years. We can tell you that parking in driveways for $5 may be your only parking option during the evening. We can share that a wagon with a blanket makes life easier than carrying a four year old. The bathroom line could be lengthy and concession worse, but not enough to keep visitors from coming back to create even more memories. And this year is going to feel like a Homecoming.